San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-13
The Pencil PredIcament.

SO much has been said and written
concerning the slate and pencil status OF
the school marms, OF this city, that q
LIGHT representative was detailed to
sharpen his "faber" and uncover the
whole matter. This Is about the size of
1t. In the school the teacher whereof
was brought to book on last Saturday,
the modus is as follows:
On the opening OF school a slip Of
paper is given to each child with the
list OF things required upon 1t, 1t being
supposed that new pupils are unfur-
nished until Informed Of what lie re-
quired. These slips are without refer
enoe to what the children bring, IL is so
unusual to have child bring anything
the first day. The uniformity In size OF
slate Is given because 1t facilitates
teachers work, the copies given being
arranged for the prescribed size, and the
lines are thus brought to required
length and each child more readily IN
derstands when and where to begin his
work. There is no compulsion In this
matter, however, and the child who has
larger or smaller slate than the one
generally In use, is always allowed to
use 1t. SO far as the five-oent pencil
dodge Is concerned, the LIGHT is inform
ed that the teacher complained OF, fur
nishes sponges and pencils for her pu-
pills, because these pencils are taken up
every night, sharpened, and returned
next morning. II those pencils were
owned as individual property II would
be an endless task to select these pen-
ellis each morning and give each scholar
his or her particular pencil. Or, II those
pencils were taken home they would
not be on hand next morning. All PEN
ellis are thrown away as soon as about
half used up, as they grow
too short to be readily handled
by the pupils. The sponges are
kept in like manner as school property,
wet every morning and given with the
newly sharpened pencil to each scholar.
For these spOnges and for these pencils
the sum Of five cents is asked for from
each pupil at the beginning OF the term.
LIZ not paid 1t makes no difference, the
teacher In question supplies the de-
ficiency. The LIGHT inquisitor was
shown an itemiZed account OF receipts
and expenditures In this connection and
In the school room as criticised in Sat-
urday's communication, the teacher has
paid during the first week of the term As
cents more for pencils and spOnges than
she has received and has several dozens
Of pencils yet to buy before the term
ends. This lady assures the LIGHT that
she constantly pays out OF her own
pocket, for the pencils and sponges Of
her pupils, and when asked to make her
own statement through the columns OF
the LIGHT refused to do SO as beneath
the dignity Of a conscientious, intelli-
gent, self-respecting teacher. This lady,
and no doubt all others, would he only
30
plantations to the parents of her pupils,
but respectfully declines to rush into
print to set herself right, when she ia
conscious that she is not In the wrong.
Those who wish for additional informa-
ton upon this subject are cordially COM
mended to headquarters. This Ia the
rule In all well regulated newspaper
offices and could very readily be adopt
ed by others. At the same time where
Information is really desired, and this
course Is not feasible it will only be
necessary to address the LIGHT, noting
the points upon which information is
sought and the information will be
forthcoming II 1t lie procurable.
While this covers the ground Of COM
plain In the letter Of last Saturday it
does not cover q graver ground OF COM
plant made against certain teachers who
wholesale school materials of nearly
every char otter and usurp the functions
OF the tradesmen who pay occupation
taxes for that privilege. This matter
the LIGHT has also been strongly i'm
portuned to ventilate and may shed its
beams upon the subject little later on.
Mr.. Orynski, Druggist on Military
plaza-Dear Sir: The compound black
berry cordial bought at your store is
the most wonderful medicine for dysen-
terry and bowel troubles 1 have ever
tried. Il really believe IL saved our boys
life, and am going to recommend all
my neighbors to get bottle, as think
no family should be without IL In the
house. Yours truly,
MRS. JENKNsoN.
Orders to March